Highway 5 closed Friday due to heavy snowfall

Coquihalla Highway 5 was shut down on Friday because of unruly weather, according to DriveBC.

DriveBC had warned drivers earlier in the day to avoid Coquihalla Highway 5 from Hope to Merritt, B.C., "unless absolutely necessary." But around 7 p.m. conditions worsened and the highway was closed. 

The area had been experiencing heavy, wet snowfall and traffic was backed up.

DriveBC recommended using Highway 1 through Boston Bar as a detour.

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  Travellers are being asked to avoid Highway 5 between Hope and Merritt, B.C., as the area has been experiencing treacherous weather conditions. Nov. 11, 2011. (CTV)

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  Travellers are being asked to avoid Highway 5 between Hope and Merritt, B.C., as the area has been experiencing treacherous weather conditions. Nov. 11, 2011. (CTV)